ryan for a hard- fought race. he told the audience, while we battle fiercely, it's because we love this country deeply >>> reporter: the president's family joined him on stage to celebrate four more years in the white house [ applause and cheers ] >> you voted for action, not politics as usual. [ applause and cheers ] >> you elected us to focus on your jobs, not ours. >> reporter: the president won almost all of the battleground states giving him a decisive electoral college victory. >> whether i earned your vote or not, i have listened to you. i have learned from you. and you've made me a better president. >> reporter: governor romney congratulated the president. the republican challenger says he gave everything he had to this campaign. >> i so wish that i had been able to fulfill your hopes to lead the country in a different direction. but the nation chose another leader so ann and i join with you to earnestly pray for him and for this great nation. >> reporter: with the votes counted the two candidates who clas